1 week Boston & Quebec City
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1 week Boston & Quebec City
I am planning a trip to Boston in early Aug 2012. I plan on flying into Logan on a Sunday and heading north to Quebec city for 3 nights. Then driving back to the Boston area for 4 nights. I'll fly out of Boston on the following Sunday.
My focus will be history. Any suggestions as to where to stay in either area and "must see" sites?
I am thinking;
Quebec City = the old citadel, old town, ??
Boston = Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, Minuteman Park at Concord & Lexington, ??
Your thoughts?
My focus will be history. Any suggestions as to where to stay in either area and "must see" sites?
I am thinking;
Quebec City = the old citadel, old town, ??
Boston = Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, Minuteman Park at Concord & Lexington, ??
Your thoughts?
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The places you want to see are all worthwhile, as are many others, particularly in Boston.
BUT: it is a 7 hour drive from Boston to Quebec, NOT including the time necessary to cross the border in both directions and stopping for food, fuel, and toilets along the way. So three nights in Quebec means one day on the ground sightseeing. You can see the sites in that time, but Quebec City is by far and away the most European city in North America, and it would be a shame to rush in and out and not have any time to absorb the atmosphere. It is in fact a pretty gorgeous trip, as least as far as the Canadian border, so you may not mind, but you need to think about it.
Now, the second thing is that you can't drive a rental car into Canada without the proper documentation from the rental company. Be sure that they know you will be doing this and that you know about and pay any additional fees. Of course, you will need your own documentation which may or may not be your passport.
Gasoline, cigarettes, and alcohol are a lot more expensive in Canada, so if any of theese matter to you on such a short trip, fill up before you cross the border.
BUT: it is a 7 hour drive from Boston to Quebec, NOT including the time necessary to cross the border in both directions and stopping for food, fuel, and toilets along the way. So three nights in Quebec means one day on the ground sightseeing. You can see the sites in that time, but Quebec City is by far and away the most European city in North America, and it would be a shame to rush in and out and not have any time to absorb the atmosphere. It is in fact a pretty gorgeous trip, as least as far as the Canadian border, so you may not mind, but you need to think about it.
Now, the second thing is that you can't drive a rental car into Canada without the proper documentation from the rental company. Be sure that they know you will be doing this and that you know about and pay any additional fees. Of course, you will need your own documentation which may or may not be your passport.
Gasoline, cigarettes, and alcohol are a lot more expensive in Canada, so if any of theese matter to you on such a short trip, fill up before you cross the border.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Compared the cost of flying into Boston, using public transportation there (a car is not a positive there) then flying to Quebec City and flying home from there. The costs of car rental, parking, etc. plus the extra time in the cities might make it worth it. You could also do the trip in the opposite direction.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about flying into Montreal and taking the much shorter drive to Quebec City? Then to Boston -- this will save you one of two long days in the car.
I haven't been to Quebec City, but I'm planning a trip this summer, so have some book-knowledge: other recommended historical sites include the Place-Royale (a square with 17th and 18th century houses), and the Musee de la Civilisation. Also visit-ible are the walls of the old fort that surrounded the city (Park l'Esplanad), and the Basilique Notre-Dame.
I haven't been to Quebec City, but I'm planning a trip this summer, so have some book-knowledge: other recommended historical sites include the Place-Royale (a square with 17th and 18th century houses), and the Musee de la Civilisation. Also visit-ible are the walls of the old fort that surrounded the city (Park l'Esplanad), and the Basilique Notre-Dame.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
capxxx raises an interesting possibility, but the last time I looked, one-way rentals between Canada and the US were either impossible or impossibly expensive.
Flights from Boston to QC are awfully expensive ($624 RT mid-May), or we would go at least once a year.
Flights from Boston to QC are awfully expensive ($624 RT mid-May), or we would go at least once a year.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
emd3,
We are looking to keep hotel costs to less than $150 / nt. A freind recommended a place called the Wayside Inn, a historic B&B.
Any suggestions you have are appreciated. Trying ot stay outside of Boston proper to avoid the traffic and crowds, but will venture into the city for sightseeing.
We are looking to keep hotel costs to less than $150 / nt. A freind recommended a place called the Wayside Inn, a historic B&B.
Any suggestions you have are appreciated. Trying ot stay outside of Boston proper to avoid the traffic and crowds, but will venture into the city for sightseeing.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Wayside Inn is in Suwdbury, IIRC, and is the subject of a poem by Longfellow, also IIRC. That is a major area for upscale commuters, so there is masses of traffic into and out of the city morning and afternoon. I think the nearest commuter rail is Framingham, but Waltham might be more convenient. Or just drive and pay to park at the Pru or Boston Common.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
$150 a night, in August, is a very tight budget for the Boston area.
We stayed at the Sheraton Needham, right off 95,two weeks ago, as I just could not find anything under $200 in the city. We drove into Boston from there via Comm. Ave (a pretty drive, you go right by Boston College), about 20 min. to get to the western part of the city (around BU). We paid $129 a night at that hotel, and it was very nice, more like Westin quality. I am seeing rates on the Starwood site at that hotel of $142 a night for the 2nd wk. of August, a very good deal. It is near lots of restaurants.
I checked the good budget hotels I know of in the city and none are $150 or less for early August. The Boston Park Plaza (a very nice hotel, have stayed there) is showing $186 on Orbitz, but that is as low as it gets in the city. That is an excellent deal.
We stayed at the Sheraton Needham, right off 95,two weeks ago, as I just could not find anything under $200 in the city. We drove into Boston from there via Comm. Ave (a pretty drive, you go right by Boston College), about 20 min. to get to the western part of the city (around BU). We paid $129 a night at that hotel, and it was very nice, more like Westin quality. I am seeing rates on the Starwood site at that hotel of $142 a night for the 2nd wk. of August, a very good deal. It is near lots of restaurants.
I checked the good budget hotels I know of in the city and none are $150 or less for early August. The Boston Park Plaza (a very nice hotel, have stayed there) is showing $186 on Orbitz, but that is as low as it gets in the city. That is an excellent deal.